Two borough secondary schools set to partially close during strike

TWO secondary schools in Basingstoke and Deane have announced that they will have to partially close during the strike action this Wednesday.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has organised the industrial action over an on-going dispute with the Government about issues regarding excessive workloads, performance related pay and unfair pension changes.

Robert May’s School, in Odiham, has informed parents that the school will close to Years 8 and 9.

Joanna West, headteacher, said: “Neither the governing body nor the headteacher are legally allowed to close the school ‘in sympathy’ with the strike and we will not do so. However, our main concern is for the safety of our students.

“Because we may not know until very late how many staff will be available to work, the decision has been taken to open the school for Years 7, 10 and 11 only.”

Parents at Aldworth School have also been informed that only Year 11 students will be able to attend school on Wednesday.

Denis McCabe, headteacher, wrote to parents to say: “I apologise for the inconvenience this may cause you and the disruption it will cause to your son or daughter’s education on this day.”

For a full list of school closures in Hampshire visit http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/schoolclosures/ or keep checking The Gazette website for information on Basingstoke school closures.